?Tracy~DQMW154@aol.com
DQ "Shades of Gray"
1878

Dr. Michaela Quinn was amazed on how much had changed in the past five years as she dropped off her youngest daughter, Katie a bright, bubbly child, looking some much like her mother yet had many qualities of her father, was already seven and no longer Dr. Mike's baby. She cheerfully jumped out the wagon forgetting to kiss her mother goodbye. Dr. Mike shook her head and made her way across the busy streets of Colorado Springs.
She had missed seeing Brian and Sully this morning because Nicholas Slicker, Teresa and Jake's six month old was sickly and often needed help. Brian at nineteen ,volunteered to help after school. Sully drove him in the mornings when he was here.
"Dr. Mike!" a small blond haired woman called as she turned the key to the clinic door.
"Hello Susannah what's wrong?"
"It's Paige. She's been sick all week, but last night she was running a high fever. Timothy though I should bring her in."
Dr. Mike smiled. "I'm sure it's just a cold. So, how are the two of you getting along?"
"He loves the kids, all five of them. I thought his being blind would make things difficult ,but it hasn't, and I love being married to him." her face beamed with joy. She had come to this town a bout two years ago after her husband of fifteen years had left her. The lifestyle of the west was not new to her ,for she had traveled the Oregon trail to Oregon in 1846 from Alabama. Susannah was a strong woman, with a good head on her shoulders .Michaela and her had become fast friends because of it.
"That's good the Reverend deserves a little happiness."
"Yes, he does," she turned back to her eldest child. "Is she alright?"
"Just a little soar throat ,"Dr. Mike said as she pulled out some quinine out of her pocket. "Give Paige some of this it should help."
"Thanks you, Michaela."
"Bye Susannah."
* * *
"We've been engaged for five years Matthew. I waited till you finished law school and now you're a lawyer now - the only one the town's got. You have no excuse not to marry me."
"The time ain't right Katrina."
"It'll never be right, and I don't think It ever will." the Irish beauty said as she stalked away.
"Katrina!"
She was right the two had been courting for a long time. However, Matthew had been busy. He set up and built a court office as well as hiring a judge. He just wasn't sure if he was ready to be married yet.
The first day they had met he knew he loved her. She had nearly run him down with her wagon as she came into town .
"Céad mile beannachta." she had said.
"What did you say?" Matthew asked dusting the dust off his clothes.
She giggled and replied , "Sorry that was Irish for- I'm sorry. Are okay ? I didn't hit you did I?"
"No, I'm fine." Matthew said . He looked up at her and was amazed at how pretty she was. The girl had long curly read hair and big brown eyes that danced whenever she laughed. "Here let me help you." he said reaching up to help her out the wagon.
"Thanks lad."
"Are you hungry? We could stop off at Grace's."
"I would love to."
"So, Are you new to town?" Matthew asked. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was so kind and genuine .
" My Ma , Da, and brothers and sisters and I just came over from Ireland a few months ago."

"What made you decide to come here?"
"New York was too busy, too crowded. So, we decide d to come out west." Katrina like d him so far. Though his eyes had a sad look to them. As if something or someone had hurt him so badly he wasn't ever going to get over it. "Well, I'll fix that." she thought to her self with a smile. " So, we been talkin' for about an hour now ,but you have yet to tell me your name."
There were some similarities between Katrina and Ingrid, but she was convivial ,made Matthew laugh, and had a wild spirit about her. Dr. Mike and Katrina were a lot alike at spent hours together.
Katrina liked the family and was looking forward to being apart of it. However, Matthew was going to slow for her and if he wasn't really soon she was going to move on.
* * *
"Katherine Sully, pay attention!" Miss. Teresa called to the child. She sure was a handful , smart but didn't love school as her older siblings had.
"Sorry Miss. Teresa." Katie giggled as she turned away from her friends, eight year-old Samantha Bing, who after Myra's death was now living with Horace and little five year-old Natalie Antonia ,Grace and Robert E's daughter.
"If you paid as much attention to school as you do Nat and Sam , Miss. Teresa wouldn't yell at you so much." Brian scolded on the walk home.
"She just likes to talk like her Ma," Zack Lawson replied from behind, tickling Katie. "Don't you Kates?"
Katie laughed and gave him a hug. "What are you doing here Zack?"
"Now that art school's over I'm staying with my Pa for the year." Ever since Hank had started visiting him frequently at school they had become much closer. Also trips to Colorado Springs made him show the outgoing side to himself.
"Then what?" Brian asked.
"I don't know, maybe New York to show my art. Are you going to college next year?"
"Ma and I are lookin' at some schools in Denver and back east. Besides folks are talkn' about building one here in a few years."
That's good. Hey, I forgot to tell you, I saw your sister on the train comin' in. She must be at your place by now."
"Thanks, see you later Zack."
"Ma! Ma!" called Katie as Brian held her hand as they crossed the street. Dr, Mike opened the door. "Hi sweetheart ,what is it?"
"Colleen's back from Philadelphia." Brian said.
"Zack told us." spoke up Katie.

"She didn't write that she was coming." Dr. Mike though out loud.
"Maybe she wanted to surprise us , Mama." Katie said.
Michaela smiled and kissed the blond-brown haired child and turned to her son. "I'm almost finished here. Wait in the wagon."
"Ma!" called a very pregnant Colleen as Dr. Mike stepped out of the wagon. She was so happy to be home . She and Andrew had not visited Colorado in at least a year. Though they had written letters they were no comparison to seeing her family face to face.
"You decided to have the baby here?"
"That's part of it." It was then Michaela noticed Andrew standing quietly .
"Hello Andrew. I thought you were in New Orleans." she said giving him a quick hug.
"I left early so I could meet Colleen here." Andrew said giving Colleen a warm kiss.
He didn't look right to Michaela. He's face was ashen and he was leaning on Colleen slightly.
"Tell us about Philadelphia ." Brian said over dinner that night.
"We don't get to see much of the city, but it's wonderful. Plays, stores, the opera .I do miss home though." Colleen smiled.
"Then you should come home more often." Sully put in.
"You're one to say that. Since your never home." Michaela said bitterly.
"That's not fair Michaela. You know I have to work."
"We would it's just we've been busy with our practice and, you know how long a journey it is to Colorado Springs." Andrew said suddenly breaking up the potential fight.
"Grandma's been writin' that you visit often." Matthew said.
"Yes, how is everyone." Michaela said .
"They're all fine. "Andrew said as he began to cough and excused himself from the table.
"When's the baby due?" Brian asked.
"In a few weeks." Colleen said looking worriedly after Andrew.
"Thought of any names yet?"
"I like Rebecca or Andrew but Andrew likes Elise or Jonas."
"They're all real good names Colleen."
The conversation drifted to other matters and as Dr. Quinn and Sully went to bed the tension was still there.
"Let me." Sully said taking the brush from her hand.
"I'm done." she said as she got up from the mirror.
"Michaela we haven't talked in months."
"That's because your never here."
"We need the money."
"We need you."
"Whenever I'm here you won't talk to me."
"I'm tired Sully. I going to bed."
"Night."
* * *
Early the next morning Colleen found her siblings playing catch in the yard. Brian tossed her the ball. Matthew picked up Katie and swung her over his shoulders., the ball which was thrown back by Colleen was lost in the garden.
"I'll get it !"called Katie as Matthew let her down.
"No, I think that's enough for now, Kates." stated Matthew. He looked at his sister. Her eyes had worry in them. "Is Andrew okay?" he asked.
"Just a little cold why?"
"Nothing. If anything was wrong one of you would know, right Dr. Cook?"
Colleen smiled and looked at Katie and Brian playing in the background. " Come on." she said pulling Matthew towards them.
"Grace, what's wrong? "Michaela asked as she passed Grace on her way to the clinic.
'It's my sister in New Orleans .There's a terrible yellow fever epidemic goin' on in the south. She's took sick with it."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Thanks Dr. Mike." she said as she rushed off.
It was then Dr. Quinn remembered Andrew. He'd been to New Orleans recently .
"Colleen has Andrew been feeling poorly lately?" asked Michaela. She didn't want to worry Colleen with her findings yet. Colleen was quiet for a moment; then said , "When I met him at the train station he didn't look right. Even Matthew's asked me about it. Could you take a look at him ma?"
She smiled at her daughter. "Of course."
"It's yellow fever isn't it?" Andrew asked.
"Yes, a very strong strain."
"I should have caught it before. Michaela, if I had know I wouldn't have come here."
"Your symptoms high fever, headaches, nausea, they could be associated with many illnesses. Any doctor could miss it."
"Where's Andrew? I wan t to see him." Colleen asked, as she headed up the clinic stairs.
'Wait Colleen."
"Why?"
"Andrew has contracted yellow fever."
"I've been exposed to yellow fever before Ma."
"You have to think about the baby." she touched her shoulder warmly. "Don't worry I'll take care of him."
"Dr. Mike , you've had Andrew us exposin' us to yellow fever?" Jake said angrily outside the clinic.
"I didn't know at the time Jake."
"Sure you didn't Michaela." puffed Hank out he's cigar.
"Pa." scolded Zack.
"Hundred maybe even thousands of people are dyin' in the south," the Reverend put in. "Do you want another epidemic?"
"Of course not, but the disease is here. Well just have to take proper precautions." she said thinking of Marjorie and Becky.
"I hope you're right." Loren grumbled.
* * *
"I know I should have put my foot down about you teachin'. You workin' while pregnant and after is what made Nicholas so weak." Jake argued with his wife.
"Jacob we've talked about this before. Dr. Quinn said nothing you or I did caused Nicholas to be sickly."
" Dr. Mike has been putting ideas in your head. A woman should not work when she has a man and a child to take care of."
"Jacob Slicker, yo no sere` culpado a para su enfemedad de hijo." (I will not be blamed for your son's illness.)
"You know I can't understand you when you talk like that."
"Good."
Michaela was just about to leave the clinic when Jake Slicker raced in. "Dr. Mike!" he yelled carrying Teresa in his arms. Jake laid Teresa on the table.
"Let me examine her." said Michaela.
"What's wrong ?"
"She has yellow fever." she said addressing the crowd that had formed outside.
"If my wife dies, I'll -" said Jake holding his young son.
"-I'm sure she'll be fine, Jake. I'm sure you all will if -"
"-She was teaching our children, Dr. Mike." spoke up Grace.
"How do you know the fever won't spread?" asked Loren.
* * *
"Matthew, I didn't see Katrina at dinner the other day." Sully said.
"She wants me to marry her, but I'm not ready yet."
"You're still in love with Ingrid."
"Always will be. Aren't you still in love with Abagail?"
" Not like how I am with your Ma. But you're different Matthew. I don't think you'll ever love someone like you loved Ingrid. You've been unhappy for a long time. You need to find some love." Sully said as Matthew smiled and walked away.
" I'm not thirteen years old anymore you can't send me away Ma." Brian said angrily.
"I'm not sending you away I just want to protect you."
"And I'm tellin' you I don't need it. Send Katie, but I aint going."
"I know what this is about you don't want to leave Sarah. Don't worry she'll be fine." she said brushing his hair out of his eyes.
He pushed her hand away. "Stop. You keep telling everyone that everything will be okay. But you don't know that for sure , no one does."
"Brian I-"
"I'll go." Matthew interrupted.
"What?"
"I'll take Katie to Boston."

"Are you sure you're not just running away ?"Sully pointed out.
"What about you're job? The courthouse?" Michaela added.
" They'll be fine till I get back."
Matthew had taken the trip to Boston before ,but as the trees changed into towns ; then cites, the trip seemed shorter somehow. Last time he'd been younger and couldn't wait to get home to Ingrid; then it had seemed endless.
"What's Grandma like , Matthew?" Katie said breaking his thoughts.
"There's over ten people at the clinic, now." said Loren as he swept the floor of the store.
"Hundreds dyin' in the south." Dorothy said.
"Hi, Mr. Bray, Ms. Dorothy." said Brian, holding Natalie's hand. With school out Grace had asked Brian to watch her.
"Oh, hi Brian. What can I get ya?"
"Ma needs some supplies for the clinic."
"How's Andrew doing?"
"Not too good."
"Sorry to hear that," said Dorothy as Loren handed him a package. "You tell your ma I'll be over later."
"I will." said Brian as Susannah and the Reverend walked in. They had a large family with five children ages that varied between six and one. The twins ,Christopher and Mary Ellen were busy trying to reach the candy jar, while Harriet slept soundly in her mother's arms. Joshua and Paige played outside.
"How do you manage with all those children, reverend?" asked Loren.
"Barely. "he laughed.
"Michaela! Michaela!" called Hank from outside. Everyone rushed outside to see what was happening.
"What's wrong, Hank?"
"It's Zack." He had a yellowish tone and he was feverish and vomiting black material.
Hank grabbed Michaela 's arm turning her towards him. "Don't let him die."
Dr. Mike worked steadily as more and more people began to get sick. Little Harriet had even contracted it. Truthfully, there wasn't much Michaela could do to stop the fever even with Grace, Dorothy, Brian, and Horace helping. She remembered how she couldn't save Becky and Marjorie and how helpless she had felt. She thought as she carefully wraped the shroud around the young boy. He was the sixth one to die so far. Michaela had even asked Cloud Dancing for help but so far he's come up empty.
"Michaela are you alright? You look tired."Sully asked.
"Of course I am, "she said brushing him away. "I-" she started to say as he kissed her. "Do you remember when we used to do that?"
"Sully, later.I have patients ." said said though she but her hand on his chest and kissed him back.